In 2155, when a xenophobic faction of Humans known as Terra Prime took over the verteron array, Starfleet intended to destroy the array rather than let the terrorist organization carry out their attack on San Francisco. Destroying the array threatened to destroy a portion of Utopia Colony, an indication that the two were in close proximity to one another. The colony had at least one hospital as of 2155. (ENT: "Demons", "Terra Prime")

Although Harry Kim stated in VOY: "The 37's" established that "Mars was colonized by people from Earth in 2103", ENT: "Terra Nova" establishes that Mars was colonized prior to 2069 with the building of Utopia Planitia. This seems to make more sense since 2103 is forty years after the warp drive was invented, and after deep-space expeditions like SS Valiant and Friendship 1 and after the Terra Nova colony was established in another star system. The 2103 date may refer to the formal incorporation of the colonies as one body, the year Humans were first able to colonize the planet on a long-term basis, or the beginning of the terraforming project seen in ENT: "Terra Prime".

The buildings representing the Martian colonies in episodes such as "Lifesigns" were built out of garbage cover plates, birdbaths, cat toys, and hair curlers by using the technique "kitbashing". Penny Juday gives some insight in the TNG Season 2 DVD special feature "Inside Starfleet Archives - Penny Juday, Star Trek Coordinator".